Reflector support for ranges



PLJ. MORE REFLECTOR SUPPORT FOR RANGES Oct. 14, 1958 Filed Nov 27. 1957 INVENTOR. PHILIP J. MORE QiMW/ -04 ATTORNEY United States Patent ce g 0332 .22

nizrrncron stirroar non RANGES Philip J. More, Evanston, Ill., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application November 27, 1957, Serial No. 699,306 7 Claims. (Cl. 21937) This invention relates to a reflector support for ranges, and more particularly, to a support structure which provides a means enabling imperforate ceramic or metal reflectors to be used for domestic range surface heating units.

A conventional domestic range surface heating unit assembly is comprised of coiled heating elements arranged on a suitable frame, supported over an opening in the porcelain enamelled steel top wall of the range, and enclosed by a decoratively finished trim ring. Underneath the heating elements is a parabolic metal reflector suported by a flange depending from the top wall of the range which reflects heat emitted downwardly by the heating elements and also serves to catch and direct food spillage from utensils over the heating unit. The reflector has a centrally located opening which permits a cooling air circulation around the reflector, serving to dissipate heat generated by the heating elements. Below the centrally located opening in the reflector is a removable drip tray, or in some cases, drip cup to collect the spillage received by the reflector.

Metals such. as aluminum or steel'are commonly used to fabricate reflectors, chiefly because they have good heat conductively and reflectivity properties. However, the corrosive effects of spillage, in time will deteriorate the surface of metal reflectors, reducing their reflective qualities and impeding cleanability.

If a material which is not readily subject to corrosion such as ceramic could be used for reflectors, it would offer advantages over the conventional metal. construction. It would provide a hard, easily cleaned, heat-resistant surface, relatively impervious to the effects of spillage. In addition, it is readily available in a wide variety of colors, a feature that is desirable for use in colored ranges. However, the low heat conductivity of ceramics presents a problem in dissipating the heat emitted from the heating elements.

If this heat is not readily transferred, temperature will build up around the heating unit assembly to a level where the finish on the top wall of the range around the heating unit opening will suffer damage due to crazing of the enamel. Through extensive testing under service conditions, I have discovered that an effective means must be provided to vent the space under a heating unit assembly if ceramic is to be used as a reflector material. If the venting means provided is highly efficient, the reflector center hole will no longer be required for ventilation purposes, simplifying fabrication of the reflector. Furthermore, elimination of the reflector center hole will permit spillage to be retained within the reflector. The reflector can then be deepened to hold a greater volume of liquid, eliminating the need for a drip tray or cup under the heating unit assembly.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a new and improved reflector support with a vented construction enabling imperforate ceramic or metal reflectors to be used for range surface heating units.

It is another object of my invention to provide a novel eluding an insulated oven 2 vented reflector support enabling a combination reflector and drip cup fabricated from corrosion-resisting ceramic material to be employed for range surface heating units.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive support ring for ceramic or metal surface heating unit reflectors which will also function as a surface unit trim ring.

Briefly stated, in accord with the illustrated embodiment of my invention, I have provided an annular reflector support which is carried in a conventional range by means of a flange resting on the range cooking top around a surface heating unit opening. This flange may be used to replace the conventional surface unit trim ring. Depending from the support flangeis. a collar extending below the cook top surface. This collar contains a plurality of openings or vents around its periphery. Extending inwardly from the lower edge of the collar is a rim adapted to support a ceramic reflector and drip cup combination. The openings in the support collar provide a means to vent the space under the surface heating unit, thus permitting the use of corrosion-resisting ceramic in the reflector application. The support vents are so eflicient that the typical reflector central opening is no longer required for ventilation purposes. Consequently, the reflector also serves as a drip cup, the deep concave shape which has been provided eliminating the need for the conventional range drip tray or drip cup under the surface heating units.

The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of thisspecification. My invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, to gether with further objectsand advantages, thereto, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of an electric range including a presently preferred embodiment of my invention, the view being partially broken away and partially in section in order to show details;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a preferred form of my reflector support invention;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of the range of Fig. l with the surface heating unit in a raised position in order to show details; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevation of an electric range including a slightly modified version of my invention used in conjunction with a conventionally flanged cook top opening and the usual surface heating unit trim ring, the unit being in a raised position and the view being partially broken away and partially in section in order to show details.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 1, I have shown therein an electric range 1 having a cook top 2 and in- 3. The cook top 2 is formed with a downwardly extending flange 4 which defines a circular opening. A surface cooking unit 5 is arranged substantially within said opening. The cooking unit is of' open construction and comprises two heating elements 6 which are carried on a support spider 7. The support spider 7 has been omitted from Fig. 1 in order to clarify other details. The cooking unit 5 is hingedly mounted to the cooking top by means of hinge assembly 8 which is arranged to position the cooking unit in an operative position on the cooking top and yet permit the unit to be swung upward to a suitable raised position when desired. The heating element coils are preferably of the wellknown tubular metallic sheath type such as that shown in the C. C. Abbott, Patent Number 1,367,341, granted February 1, 1921.

Substantially within the opening defined by flange 4 is a removable, vented reflector support 10 which has a trim flange 11 resting upon the cook top 2, and a depending collar portion 12 extending below the cooking top surface. The reflector support 10 may advantageously be fabricated from a metal such as aluminum. Trim flange 11 may readily be given an attractive finish and as the flange encloses the cook top opening, the conventional surface unit trim ring is no longer required. The continuity of collar portion 12 is interrupted by an opening 13 affording passage for the terminal portions of cooking unit 5. The collar portion 12 is provided with a plurality of rectangular vents 14 extending around its periphery. Extending inwardly from the lower edge of the reflector support 10 is a horizontal rim 15 having upturned ears 16 at the opening 13. Resting on the rim 15 is the outer edge portion of a removable reflector and drip cup combination 17 having a deep concave shape providing ample spillage capacity. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the conventional central opening has been omitted from reflector and drip cup combination 17 although it has an aperture 18 cut out of its upper edge to afford passage for the terminals of cooking unit 5. The upturned ears 16 of rim 15 fit just inside the aperture 18 and thus locate the reflectorand drip cup combination aperture 18 in registration with opening 13 of support 10. The opening 13 and the aperture18 provide ample clearance for the terminal portions of the cooking unit in both its operative and its raised position. The reflector and drip combination 17 is preferably fabricated from ceramic because of its corrosion-resisting and easy cleanability properties.

The reflector support and the reflector and drip cup combination 17 substantially enclose a space 20 under the cook top opening. As the space under the cook top 2 is in open communication with the atmosphere, air from under the cook top 2 can enter the space 20 through support vents 14 and flow upwardly to the atmosphere through the open construction of cooking unit 5. Thus, the vents 14 provide a means to ventilate the space 20 underneath the cooking unit 5. In addition, the vents reduce the cross section of collar 12, restricting heat transfer through the collar to the cook top. It will be understood that equivalent means such as a wire mesh collar portion can be used to furnish reflector support 10 with the open construction provided by the vents 14. It will also be recognized that supplementary ventilation of the space 20 is provided by opening 13 and aperture 18 around the terminals of the cooking unit 5.

The cooking unit 5 may be controlled by a pushbutton switch 21 of the type shown in I. L. Andrews, Patent Number 2,431,904, granted December 2, 1947. The switch may advantageously be mounted on a backsplasher 22 of the range 1.

During cooking operations on the range 1, a pan 23 containing food to be cooked is placed upon the cooking unit 5. The switch 21 is then actuated to an on position energizing the cooking unit 5. Any spillage from the cooking operation which may fall from the pan will be efficiently received by the reflector and drip cup combination 17. If it is necessary for the housewife to remove the reflector and drip cup combination at any time, as for cleaning, it is easily accomplished by swinging the surface cooking unit 5 to an up position, as shown in Fig. 3, and lifting out the ceramic reflector and drip cup combination 17. As the ceramic reflector and drip cup has a corrosion-resistant, hard, impervious surface, any spillage from the cooking operations is readily removed from it. Repeated spillage and cleaning operations will have no noticeable effect on the surface of a ceramic reflector and drip cup combination.

While the surface cooking unit 5 is energized, heat is radiated in all directions from the heating elements 6. Heat that is emitted downwardly will, of course, be reflected by the ceramic reflector and drip cup combination 17. As cooking progresses, cooling air from the atmosphere enters the range from a plurality of openings (not shown) at lower portions and at the rear of the range 1 and flows into the passage between the cooking top 2 and an oven top insulation panel 24. This cooling air then enters the space 20 under surface cooking unit 5 through the reflector support vents 14. The air then flows upwardly through the openings between the turns of the heating elements 6, passes around pan 23, and returns to the atmosphere. This cooling air movement which is shown by the arrows in Fig. 1, maintains the surface of cook top 2 at temperatures well below the level where damage will be suffered by the porcelain enamel finish due to overheating. It is therefore apparent that the novel, vented construction of reflector support 10 provides a means whereby the central opening of conventional reflectors is no longer required for ventilating purposes and the reflector can be deepened to provide a drip cup. The provision of the vents 14 also permits the employment of corrosion-resisting ceramic material for the reflector and drip cup combination, even though ceramic in itself is not an efficient conductor of heat.

A slight modification of my novel reflector support construction makes it possible to provide the advantages of the ceramic reflector and drip cup combination in older model ranges having the conventional flanged cook top opening. This may be desirable for field installation or to avoid tooling costs.

In older model ranges, the downwardly extending cook top opening flange is provided with a horizontal shoulder on which rests the relatively thin marginal edge of a metal reflector. The corresponding edge on the ceramic reflector and drip cup combination must be made considerably thicker in order to obtain the desired degree of durability because of the more fragile nature of ceramics. In order to maintain the requisite height relationship between the cook top and the surface heating unit for surface cooking efliciency, it is advantageous to offset the thickness differential introduced by the use of ceramic material by adjustment of the relative position of the reflector and drip cup combination. Accordingly, my reflector support invention provides a means to lower the position of the reflector and drip cup combination relative to the cook top, compensating for the greater thickness of the ceramic material. Also, the conventional surface heating unit trim ring can be retained, if desired, because the upper flange of the reflector support can be modified so as to rest on the cook top opening flange shoulder rather than on the cook top itself. Referring now to Fig. 4, I have shown therein a cook top 2a formed with a downwardly extending flange 4a which defines a circular opening. A shoulder 25 extends laterally inwardly from the lower edge of flange 4a. A surface cooking unit 5a provided with a decorative trim ring 26 is arranged substantially within the opening defined by flange 4a. Immediately below cooking unit 5:: and within the opening defined by flange 4a is a removable, vented metal reflector support 10a which has a top flange 27 resting upon shoulder 25 and a depending collar portion 12a extending downwardly from the cook top surface. Collar portion 12a has a plurality of vents 14a extending around its periphery. Extending inwardly from the lower edge of the reflector support 10a is a horizontal rim 15a on which rests an outer edge portion of a removable ceramic reflector and drip cup combination 17a. The edge of reflector support top flange 26 is of substantially the same thickness as that of the conventional metal reflector which would rest on the shoulder 25 in the usual arrangement in older ranges. Consequently, there is no interference with cooking unit 5a disposed above the reflector support, and the cooking unit remains in its usual position relative to the cook top 2a. It is therefore apparent that reflector support 10a provides a means whereby the relatively thick ceramic reflector and drip cup combination can be supported by the cook top opening flange shoulder while maintaining the requisite height relationship between the cook top and the surface heating unit.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a cooking top having a porcelain enamel finish and a downwardly flanged opening for the reception of a heating element in an operative position substantially parallel with said cooking top, a tubular metallic sheathed heating element arranged in an open flat coil form substantially within said opening, said element having terminal portions extending radially under said cooking top, and an open structure underneath said element for supporting said heating element relative to said top wall, the combination comprising: a bowl-like receptacle having an edge portion removed to provide a terminal aperture to pass said terminal portions mounted under said structure and substantially filling said opening, said receptacle having a deep concave shape and being imperforate whereby it is adapted for the collection of stray food drippings occasioned by cooking on said heating element and for reflecting heat energy emitted downwardly by said heating element; and a cylindrical support ring depending from said cooking top opening, said support ring including a substantially horizontal flange extending outwardly from said cook top opening, said flange resting on said cook top, a vertical collar portion extending downwardly from said flange, said collar portion having a plurality of mutually spaced vents around its periphery and a gap to pass said terminal portions, a rim portion inwardly projecting from the lower edge of said collar portion directly under and supporting said receptacle, said rim portion having a gap in communication with said collar gap and upstanding ears extending just inside said receptacle terminal aperture, whereby said terminal aperture and said support ring gap are placed in registration, said collar portion and said receptacle defining a space under said heating element, the vents providing a means whereby air from the atmosphere can circulate through the vents into the space under the heating element and back to the atmosphere through the openings in said heating element and supporting structure, thereby cooling said cooking top preventing damage to its finish.

2. In a cooking top having an opening for the recep tion of a heating element in an operative position substantially parallel with said cooking top, a tubular metallic sheathed heating element arranged in an open flat coil form substantially Within said opening, said element having terminal portions extending radially under said cooking top, and an open structure underneath said element for supporting said heating element relative to said top wall, the combination comprising: a receptacle having an edge portion removed to provide a terminal aperture to pass said terminal portions mounted under said structure and substantially filling said opening, said receptacle having a deep imperforate concave shape and being fabricated from ceramic whereby it is adapted for the collection of stray food drippings occasioned by cooking on said heating element and for reflecting heat energy emitted downwardly by said heating element; and a cylindrical support ring depending from said cooking top opening, said support ring including a substantially horizontal flange extending outwardly from said cook top opening, said flange resting on said cook top, a vertical collar portion extending downwardly from said flange, said collar portion having a plurality of mutually spaced vents around its periphery and a gap to pass said terminal portions, a rim portion inwardly projecting from the lower edge of said collar portion directly under and supporting said receptacle, said rim portion having a gap in communication with said collar gap, said collar portion and said receptacle defining a space under said heating element, the vents providing a means whereby cooling air from the atmosphere can circulate through the vents into the space under the heating element and back to the atmosphere through the openings in said heating element and supporting structure.

3. In a range having a top wall with a porcelain enamel finish and formed with an opening therein for receiving a heating unit, the space under said top wall being in open communication with the atmosphere, and an open structured elecertic heating unit of the sheathed resistance conductor type pivotally mounted to said top wall substantially within said opening, said pivotal mounting providing access to objects under said heating unit, the combination comprising: a dish-like ceramic reflector removably mounted below said opening to reflect heat emitted downwardly by said heating unit and to receive food drippings from cooking operations on said heating unit; and a generally cylindrical reflector support attached to said top wall and depending from the periphery of said opening, said support having on its lower end an inwardly extending rim under and supporting said reflector and a plurality of vents in its side walls in communication with the space under said top wall,

ture and back to the atmosphere through the openings of said heating unit, thereby cooling said top wall preventing damage to said porcelain enamel finish.

4. In a cooking top having an opening for the reception of a heating element in an operative position substantially parallel with said cooking top, and a tubular metallic sheathed heating element arranged in an open flat coil substantially within said opening, the combination comprising: a concave receptacle mounted under said structure and substantially filling said opening, said receptacle being imperforate whereby it is adapted for the collection of stray food drippings occasioned by cooking on said heating element and for reflecting heat energy emitted downwardly by said heating element; and a receptacle support depending from said cooking top opening, said support having a vertically extending foraminous collar portion extending downwardly from said cooking top, a projection extending of said collar portion directly under and supporting said electric heating unit of the sheathed resistance type pivotally mounted to said top substantially within said Opening, said pivotal mounting providing access to the space under said heating unit, the combination comprising: a generally cylindrical reflector support attached to said top wall depending from the periphery of said opening; a bowl-shaped ceramic reflector removably mounted on the lower edge of said support under said opening to reflect heat emitted downwardly by said heating unit and to reings in said heating unit.

6. In a range having a porcelain enamelled steel c0oking top disposed over a space open to the atmosphere, said top having an opening therein for a surface heating unit, and a sheathed resistance heating unit removably covering said opening formed to define a grille carried on an open frame substantially filling the opening but having apertures for the passage of air therethrough, the combination comprising: an imperforate reflector removably mounted underneath said heating unit to receive food drippings from cooking operations on said heating unit and to reflect heat emitted downwardly by said heating unit; and an annular structure enclosing a space mounted substantially within said opening below said heating unit, said structure comprising a trim flange resting upon said cook top around said opening, said trim flange enclosing said opening and said heating unit frame, depending from the inside of said flange a vertically extending collar, said collar having a plurality of openings in its periphery in communication with the space under said cooking top surface, a shoulder portion extending inwardly from the lower extremity of said collar, said shoulder portionbeing in contact with and supporting said reflector, the openings in said collar permitting the passage of air from the atmosphere, into the space under said cooking top surface, then into the space enclosed by said annular structure and out to the atmosphere through said heating unit apertures, cooling said cooking top.

7. In a cooking top having a downwardly flanged opening for the reception of a heating element in an operative position substantially parallel with said cooking top, a tubular metallic sheathed heating element arranged in an open flat coil form substantially within said opening,

said element having terminal portions extending radially under said cooking top, and an open structure underneath said element for supporting said heating element relative to said top Wall, the combination comprising: a receptacle having an edge portion removed to provide a terminal aperture to pass said terminal portions mounted under said structure and substantially filling said opening, said receptacle having a deep imperforate concave shape and being fabricated from ceramic whereby it is adapted for the collection of stray food drippings occasioned by cooking on said heating element and for refleeting heat energy emitted downwardly by said heating element; and a cylindrical receptacle support ring to properly locate said receptacle relative to said cooking top and said heating element depending from said cooking top opening, said support ring including a substantially horizontal flange extending outwardly from said cook top opening, said flange resting on said cooking top, a vertical collar portion extending downwardly from said flange, said collar portion having a gap to pass said terminal portions, and a lower rim portion having a gap in communication with said collar gap, said rim portion inwardly projecting from the lower edge of said collar portion under and in contact with the outer edge of said receptacle, whereby said receptacle is supported within said opening under said heating element.

No references cited. 

